March 1, 2004

San Diego junior center Brice Vounang (Dschang, Cameroon) was named the 2004 West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year today, an award the WCC established for the first time this season. Vounang also was recognized on the All-WCC First Team after an outstanding season that saw him average 17.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. His numbers were even stronger in WCC play where he averaged 19.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg while converting 58.7% of his shots. The Toreros head to the WCC Tournament his week as the No. 8 seed where they will take on No. 5 Santa Clara on Friday, March 5th in the 2nd game (approx. 8:15 p.m.).

"I'm very pleased Brice was selected to the All-Conference First Team and Newcomer of the Year," stated head coach Brad Holland. "He has been a very bright spot in a bleak year. We are very glad Brice was rewarded for his efforts this year."

Vounang scored in double digits in 23 games this season with a high of 28 points against LMU. He totaled five double-doubles including 25/15 and 28/12 games against the LMU Lions. He finished 2nd in scoring and field goal percentage among WCC players for overall games and WCC games. He ranked 4th in rebounding for overall games and 3rd in WCC play. Having missed two games due to a knee injury, he returned to the Portland game Saturday and tallied 17 points and 6 rebounds.